Third Thursday: Rhegan (Zavala) Derfus
Experience with the Douglas Area and Food Insecurity
About Our Third Thursday Guest: Rhegan (Zavala) Derfus
Rhegan Derfus brings over 14 years of experience in Cochise County, Arizona, where she has served as a child abuse prevention specialist, nutrition educator, lactation consultant, and community engagement specialist. Currently working at the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Rhegan focuses on policy systems and environmental changes to improve access to nourishing foods and physical activity in under-resourced communities. She holds a Master’s in Social Work and is dedicated to fostering community connections and empowering local residents through inclusive health strategies.
As a dedicated advocate for improving postpartum experiences, Rhegan has spent the past five years supporting families through the complexities of infant feeding. As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), she has worked in private practice, led community outreach, and served families at Canyon Vista Medical Center.
Rhegan also leads teams across Cochise and Santa Cruz counties, where her people-centered leadership drives positive change. She believes real leadership is rooted in empathy and focused on uplifting people, not just holding a title.
Passionate about making a tangible difference, Rhegan is committed to empowering families and fostering thriving communities.
Timestamp Overview
00:00 Reagan supports community health, loves dogs, running.
03:16 Discussing rural grocery accessibility and cultural influence.
06:45 Strategic group aimed at making county food oasis.
12:24 Building strategic networks fosters trust and partnerships.
15:15 Supporting local food access and native crops.
18:03 Cultural and social health is equally important.
23:42 Highlighting overlooked assets and recognizing their value.
25:45 Creating a relaxed setting for idea exchange.
28:18 Building relationships often requires more time.
32:10 Initial priority shifted from infrastructure to community integration.
36:14 Nutrition education, cooking, family meals, food relationships.
38:53 Local food in schools and homes, promoting education.
44:27 Exploring AI’s potential in strategic doing tasks.
45:27 Looking forward to fascinating conversation about Chat GPT.
Key Themes
- Shifting Priorities: Infrastructure > Community Hub
- Community Collaboration and Integration
- Rural Challenges and Child Poverty
- Nutrition and Family-focused Education
- Impact of Grocery Store Closures
- Farm-to-School and Fresh Produce Initiatives
- Iterative Community Engagement and Adaptation
About the conversation
Introduction
The complexities of rural community engagement and food security initiatives were highlighted in the recent episode of third_thursday_march_2024, revealing the intricate and adaptive journey undertaken by Rhegan Derfus and her colleagues. This blog post delves into the multifaceted challenges and successes of these community projects, emphasizing the iterative and collaborative efforts required to make substantial progress.
The Evolution of Priorities
Initially, Rhegan Derfus and her team focused on establishing a community hub aimed at integrating community activities, a grocery store offering culturally relevant foods, and a variety of support services. However, as the project unfolded, priorities shifted towards laying the necessary infrastructure to support these ambitious plans. This shift was crucial as the complexities of the project increased, demanding a more foundational approach to ensure sustainable success.
Community Collaboration and Shared Goals
A core element of Derfus’s strategy has been the involvement of community members with aligned goals, particularly the inclusion of local growers. This collaboration extends to partnerships with local parks and recreation departments to foster physical activities and organize family-friendly events, which serve as platforms for gathering community feedback and engagement.
Addressing Rural Challenges
Guest 3 brought to light the severe rural challenges mirrored in regions such as West Virginia, with alarming child poverty rates reaching 79%. Efforts in Cochise County are made even more pressing by the closure of Food City, a store that previously supplied culturally significant food items. This closure spurred increased community interest in local food cultivation, steering initiatives towards community gardening and school partnerships focused on farm-to-school projects.
Integrative Educational Efforts
Education plays a pivotal role, as evidenced by programs aimed at teaching nutrition, stress-related food behaviors, and family-friendly cooking practices. Rhegan Derfus also underscores the importance of family meals, framing them not only as opportunities for nourishment but also as vital moments for connection and learning within households.
Navigating Unexpected Changes
One of the notable challenges faced by the project was the unexpected closure of Food City, which had been the sole provider of culturally relevant foods in Douglas, AZ. This event pivoted the focus towards supporting local growers and fortifying community networks to fill the gap. Potential developments, such as the return of Food City, continually reshape the project’s approach and objectives.
Strategic Flexibility and Authentic Relationships
Authenticity and flexibility are highlighted repeatedly in Rhegan Derfus’s discussion. The need to genuinely engage community members and adapt to changing circumstances without inauthentic promises cannot be overstated. This approach not only builds trust but also ensures long-term commitment and participation.
The Role of Strategic Doing
Adapting the tenets of ‘Strategic Doing’ has been instrumental in the project’s evolution. By focusing on what can be accomplished ‘next’ rather than fully committing to a singular rigid plan, the team successfully navigated hurdles and fostered inclusive decision-making. This flexibility allowed them to pivot and adjust objectives as new challenges arose.
Building Infrastructure and Empowering Growth
In the wake of construction setbacks and safety approval delays, the strategy shifted towards solidifying essential infrastructure. This included aiding local growers to get SNAP/EBT approvals, thus enhancing food accessibility. Efforts also extended to creating community pickup sites and strengthening the local co-op’s capacity to distribute food using refrigerated vans.
Emphasizing Cultural and Social Health
Recognizing the interconnected nature of physical, cultural, and social health, the project promoted the integration of native foods such as beans and historic crops of Arizona as part of the community identity. These efforts reflect a broader understanding of health that transcends mere physical wellbeing to include cultural preservation and social connectedness.
Continuous Learning and Adaptation
As Rhegan Derfus and Liz Nilsen acknowledged, community projects are inherently non-linear and evolving. Continuous learning, realigning goals, and responding to community needs are crucial to the success of such initiatives. The iterative process ensures that strategies remain relevant and impactful.
Looking Forward: AI in Strategic Doing
As the episode concluded, anticipation grew for the upcoming session on April 18, discussing the potential role of AI in strategic doing. This speculative exploration aims to uncover if AI could manage tasks traditionally handled by community leaders and strategists.
Conclusion
The dynamic journey of Rhegan Derfus and her team in Cochise County underscores the importance of adaptability, community engagement, and strategic collaboration in addressing food insecurity and fostering community development. Their story serves as both an inspiration and a model for other rural communities grappling with similar challenges.Add to pipeline
